The issue of public surveillance by third parties has gained widespread attention in recent years, particularly after the Edward Snowden scandal. The NSA claims that they ONLY keep an eye on the metadata component of your data. Thus, they suggest that your information is made up of much more than just metadata. Take note of the play on words when the president claims that “we don’t listen to your phone conversations”.
What is Metadata?
Calls, texts, images, posts, messages, emails, videos, and any other form of electronic data that is available online are sources of data. It’s ironic that the NSA used coded language to suggest that metadata didn’t hide much, while in reality metadata can easily be found online.
So, what precisely is metadata, one could ask? Metadata is data that offers information about other data. Even while simply contemplating that might give you a headache, there is more. Metadata can be classified as descriptive, structural, or administrative. Regarding files, descriptive metadata pertains to the file’s author, title, and keywords. A Word document by Emma Taylor titled “Final History Paper” serves as an illustration. The term “structural” describes how data is organized, much like how chapters are placed in a book. In other words, the pages of the aforementioned history paper. Administrative also refers to the privacy settings, the type of file, and how and when it was created. The file is a Microsoft Excel file created on April 12th, 2005, and only the author and lecturer can access it.
Where is the Metadata hiding?
Since every metadata adds up to the total of the whole, they are all interconnected and are not fragmented or autonomous. Your text messages, Facebook status updates, images, location check-ins, credit cards, GPS on your car, street parking meters, and more all contain metadata. When you use Uber or Lyft, these companies receive metadata from your payment cards and phones. Or you give these corporations access to your DNA when you utilize websites like 23 and Me to determine your ethnic background.
I have nothing to hide, so why should I be worried?
The consequences of the current data transfer rate are just mind-boggling. The primary implication of location metadata is that any device, anywhere in the world, can be discovered in an instant. You’re constantly being watched. Additionally, if someone were to receive an artificial limb, metadata would be associated with that limb. In other words, there would be little difference between humans and machines. Modern science allows for the monitoring and recording of various bodily functions such as heart rate, body temperature, and the presence of illnesses or disorders. This can give medical professionals a lot of information about your health.
The fact remains that metadata permeates both the online and offline worlds. We use data on our phones to connect with loved ones, find new places, and get rides. However, every time we use Facebook or Google, we put our privacy at risk. Is the existence of metadata improving the world or are we turning into slaves to the technology we developed? The question still stands, and eventually the solutions will become clear.
You might be interested in my other blog : How to minimize your metadata footprint
Credits to Rob B.
